Synthesis and release of hydrocarbons by the oenocytes of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria

In: Journal of Insect Physiology, 1975, vol. 21, no. 6, p. 1237-1246

When incubated in vitro, the oenocytes in the peripheral fat body of the desert locust incorporate Na-14C-acetate into hydrocarbons (paraffins). The presence of haemolymph in the incubation medium greatly stimulates the release of the 14C-hydrocarbons into the medium. The labelled hydrocarbons appear to be rapidly released by the cells into the incubation medium as a...
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When incubated in vitro, the oenocytes in the peripheral fat body of the desert locust incorporate Na-14C-acetate into hydrocarbons (paraffins). The presence of haemolymph in the incubation medium greatly stimulates the release of the 14C-hydrocarbons into the medium. The labelled hydrocarbons appear to be rapidly released by the cells into the incubation medium as a function of time provided that haemolymph is present. The fact that the oenocytes not only synthesize 14C-hydrocarbons but also release them into the medium supports the hypothesis that the oenocytes of the desert locust synthesize cuticle lipids.